31st sunday c

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W W e e lc lc o o me t me t o o o o ur ur B B ibl ibl e e St St u u d d y y 31 st Sunday in Ordinary Time C 30 October 2016 In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy As aid in focusing our homilies and sharing Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

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Page 1: 31st Sunday C

WWeelclcoome tme too oour ur BBibliblee St Stuuddyy

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time C30 October 2016

In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgyAs aid in focusing our homilies and sharing

Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

Page 2: 31st Sunday C

1st reading: Wisdom 11,22—12,2

22 Before the Lord the whole universe is as a grain from a balance, or a drop of morning dew come down upon the earth. 23 But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things; and you overlook the sins of men that they may repent. 24 For you love all things that are and loathe nothing that you have made; for what you hated, you would not have fashioned. 25 And how could a thing remain, unless you willed it; or be preserved, had it not been called forth by you? 26 But you spare all things, because they are yours, O LORD and lover of souls, 12:1 for your imperishable spirit is in all things! 2 Therefore you rebuke offenders little by little, warn them, and remind them of the sins they are committing, that they may abandon their wickedness and believe in you, O LORD!

The focus is on God’s mercy.

Page 3: 31st Sunday C

1st reading: Wisdom 11,22—12,2Big universe made small 22 Before the Lord the whole universe is as a grain from a

balance, or a drop of morning dew come down upon the earth.

God’s mercy 23 But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things; and you overlook the sins of men that they may repent. 24 For you love all things that are and loathe nothing that

you have made; for what you hated, you would not have fashioned.

25 And how could a thing remain, unless you willed it; or be preserved, had it not been called forth by you? 26 But you spare all things, because they are yours, O LORD and lover of souls, 12:1 for your imperishable spirit is in all things!

God’s rebuke 2 Therefore you rebuke offenders little by little, warn them,

and remind them of the sins they are committing, that they may abandon their wickedness and believe in you, O LORD!

A simple outline!

Page 4: 31st Sunday C

Textual Context of Wisdom 11,22—12,2

Wis 7,22 The Nature of WisdomWis 8,2-8 Solomon’s Love for WisdomWis 8,9 Wisdom Indispensable to RulersWis 9,1-13 Solomon’s Prayer for WisdomWis 10,1-14 The Work of Wisdom from Adam to MosesWis 10,15 Wisdom Led the Israelites out of EgyptWis 11,1-14 Wisdom Led the Israelites through the DesertWis 11,15-20 Punishment of the WickedWis 11,21-26 God is Powerful and MercifulWis 12,1-11 The Sins of the CanaanitesWis 12,12-18 God is SovereignWis 12,19-22 God’s Lessons for IsraelWis 12,23 The Punishment of the EgyptiansWis 13,1-9 The Foolishness of Nature Worship

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1st reading: Wisdom 11,22—12,2

Big universe made small

22 Before you the whole universe is as a grain from a balance, or a drop of morning dew come down upon the earth.

God’s mercy 23 But you have

mercy on all, because you can do all things;

and you overlook the sins of men that they may repent.

Commentary The Book of Wisdom is one of the

deuterocanonical books of the OT. The text is a prayer of the author. V.22 acknowledges God’s point of view on

the universe. Only a grain from a balance A drop of morning dew

Very small, compared to how we perceive it to be.

V.23 acknowledges God’s magnanimity towards all. (mercy)

God can have mercy on all, because he is powerful. Nothing is impossible to him.

In v.23b, God “overlooks sins” – here we find the reason why people should repent.

What we usually know is that when we repent, God overlooks our sins.

Here, it is the other way around.

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1st reading: Wisdom 11,22—12,2 24 For you love all things

that are and loathe nothing that you have made; for what you hated, you would not have fashioned.

25 And how could a thing remain, unless you willed it; or be preserved, had it not been called forth by you? 26 But you spare all things, because they are yours, O LORD and lover of souls, 12:1 for your imperishable spirit is in all things!

God’s rebuke 2 Therefore you rebuke

offenders little by little, warn them, and remind them of the sins they are committing, that they may abandon their wickedness and believe in you, O LORD!

V.24 affirms God’s love for his creation. He does not reject anyone, anything.

In v.25, nothing remains (survives) without God willing it. V.26 gives the reason why: They are

his. In 12,1, God’s spirit permeates in

everything. In 12,2, God rebukes (admonishes,

chastises) offenders, violators and unbelievers.

People should realize how ungrateful they are, and that they need to repent, go back to God.

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Reflections on the 1st readingWho are we not to repent?We repent because God is merciful, not so

much because we will be punished.If only we know who God really is, we will be

ready to repent.If we repent, we tell the whole world that God is

merciful.God wants to preserve us all.He does not reject anyone.We are all important in his eyes.

Page 8: 31st Sunday C

Resp. Ps 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13, 14 R. (cf. 1) I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.

1 I will extol you, O my God and King,and I will bless your name forever and ever.2 Every day will I bless you,and I will praise your name forever and ever.

8 The LORD is gracious and merciful,slow to anger and of great kindness.9 The LORD is good to alland compassionate toward all his works.

10 Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,and let your faithful ones bless you.11 Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdomand speak of your might.

13 The LORD is faithful in all his wordsand holy in all his works.14 The LORD lifts up all who are fallingand raises up all who are bowed down.

Page 9: 31st Sunday C

Resp. Ps 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13, 14 R. (cf. 1) I will praise your name for

ever, my king and my God.

1 I will extol you, O my God and King,and I will bless your name forever and ever.2 Every day will I bless you, and I will praise your name forever and ever.

8 The LORD is gracious and merciful,slow to anger and of great kindness.9 The LORD is good to alland compassionate toward all his works.

10 Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD, and let your faithful ones bless you.11 Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might.

13 The LORD is faithful in all his wordsand holy in all his works.14 The LORD lifts up all who are fallingand raises up all who are bowed down.

Commentary The psalm aptly responds to the

merciful God. The psalmist must have experienced

God’s mercy. Now, in vv.1-2, the psalmist promises

to extol, bless and praise God for ever.

Vv.8-9 give the reasons by enumerating God’s qualities: Gracious, merciful, slow to anger, kind,

good to all, compassionate to his creatures.

Vv.10-11 exhort all creatures / believers to give thanks, bless, speak of God’s glory and might.

Vv.13-14 also give the reasons by again enumerating God’s qualities: Faithful, holy, helpful, lifts up, raises

up those who are humiliated.

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2nd reading: 2 Thessalonians 1,11--2,2

11 We always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith, 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ. 2:1 We ask you, brothers, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling with him, 2 not to be shaken out of your minds suddenly, or to be alarmed either by a "spirit," or by an oral statement, or by a letter allegedly from us to the effect that the day of the Lord is at hand.

The focus is on the coming of the Lord.

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2nd reading: 2 Thessalonians 1,11--2,2The Prayer of Paul11 We always pray for you,

that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith,

12 that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.

The exhortation of Paul2:1 We ask you, brothers, with regard to the coming of our

Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling with him, 2 not to be shaken out of your minds suddenly, or to be alarmed either by a "spirit," or by an oral statement, or by a letter allegedly from us to the effect that the day of

the Lord is at hand.

A simple outline!

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Textual Context of 2 Thess 1,11--2,2

I Opening Formula 1,1-2II Test of Persecution Leading to the Lord’s Glory in Judgment 1,3-

12 Thanksgiving 1,3-10 Prayer 1,11-12III Proper Understanding of the Parousia 2,1-17 The Lord’s Triumph over Deception 2,1-15 Prayer for Strengthening 2,16-17IV Two Sets of Closing Exhortations and Prayers 3,1—5,6-16V Final Greetings 3,17-18

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2nd reading: 2 Thessalonians 1,11--2,2The Prayer of Paul 11 We always pray for you,

that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith,

12 that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.

The exhortation of Paul 2:1 We ask you, brothers, with regard

to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling with him, 2 not to be shaken out of your

minds suddenly, or to be alarmed either by a

"spirit," or by an oral statement, or by a letter allegedly from us to

the effect that the day of the Lord is at hand.

Commentary Many scholars say Paul did not write

the 2nd Letter to the Thessalonians. It was written by someone else at a later date, after the death of Paul. For convenience, we refer to Paul as the author.

The text is divided into two: 1) Prayer of Paul, vv.11-12. 2) Exhortation, vv.2,1-2

V.11-12 is a prayer / wish with two important intentions of the author, in plural form (we, community) 1) God may make you worthy and

God may bring to fulfillment 2) the name of Jesus be glorified in

you and vice versa. It is a prayer of a leader, who

understands the meaning of vocation, good purpose and faith.

It is also a prayer of someone, who understands the purpose of Christ: to be glorified in us and vice versa.

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2nd reading: 2 Thessalonians 1,11--2,2The Prayer of Paul 11 We always pray for you,

that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith,

12 that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.

The exhortation of Paul 2:1 We ask you, brothers, with regard

to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling with him, 2 not to be shaken out of your

minds suddenly, or to be alarmed either

by a "spirit," or by an oral statement, or by a letter allegedly from us

to the effect that the day of the Lord is at hand.

In 2,1, the author talks about the second coming of Christ and the Christians gathering around him.

2,2 warns the Christians Not to be shaken (not to be

carried away). Their minds should be focused.

Not to be alarmed (not to be worried, insecure) by false alarms.

The Christians must take their cue from a reliable source (author himself), not from third persons, who do not belong to the group of Paul.

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Reflections on the 2nd readingGod wills that we live up to our Christian name and

calling.He wants us to be prepared for the second coming of

his Son.With regard to his second coming, we should not

entertain those who scare us. We must be wise enough on whom to listen to.

Catholics should listen to their pastors, not to the born-again preachers, self-styled tele-evangelists and other groups, with regard to biblical interpretations, faith and morals.

Many of us have been victimized by them, because (kasi tatanga-tanga tayo), we are not smart enough.

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Gospel reading: Luke 19,1-101 At that time, Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass

through the town. 2 Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, 3 was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way. 5 When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house." 6 And he came down quickly and received him with joy. 7 When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, "He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner." 8 But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over." 9 And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost."

The focus is on God’s mercy.

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Gospel reading: Luke 19,1-10Setting 1 At that time, Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town.

Zacchaeus 2 Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and

also a wealthy man, 3 was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way.

Jesus 5 When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus,

come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house." 6 And he came down quickly and received him with joy.

People (who think like the Pharisees?) 7 When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, "He has gone to

stay at the house of a sinner." Zacchaeus 8 But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Behold, half of my

possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over."

Jesus, the Son of Man 9 And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house because

this man too is a descendant of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost."

A simple outline!

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Textual Context of Luke 19,1-10

18,24-30 The Riches and Resurrection 18,31-34 The Third Prediction of the Passion 18,35-43 The Healing of the Blind Man 19,1-10 Zaccheus the Tax Collector 19,11-27 The Parable of the Ten Gold Coins

19,28-40 The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

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Gospel reading: Luke 19,1-10

Setting 1 At that time, Jesus came to

Jericho and intended to pass through the town.

Zacchaeus 2 Now a man there named

Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, 3 was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way.

Jesus 5 When he reached the place,

Jesus looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house." 6 And he came down quickly and received him with joy.

Commentary Background: Jesus continues his

journey to Jerusalem. Now he is passing by Jericho, by Zacchaeus.

V.2 introduces Zacchaeus: the chief tax collector and a rich man (social status)

V.3 describes his curiosity and his looks (physical status)

V.4 describes his behavior, unbecoming of a high ranking official and a wealthy man (climbing), just to see Jesus.

What is so important about seeing?

V.5 focuses on Jesus, looking up and talking to Zacchaeus. He invites himself (surprise) to Zacchaeus.

V.6 indicates the joyful response of Zacchaeus.

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Gospel reading: Luke 19,1-10People (who think like the

Pharisees?) 7 When they all saw this, they

began to grumble, saying, "He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner."

Zacchaeus 8 But Zacchaeus stood there and

said to the Lord, "Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over."

Jesus, the Son of Man 9 And Jesus said to him, "Today

salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost."

V.7 shows the negative reaction of the onlookers. They did not expect Jesus to go to the sinner’s house. (religious status)

V.8 indicates the conversion of Zacchaeus. To give to the poor (charity) To restore what he has stolen

(justice) V.9 declares that Zacchaeus

is saved. V.10 declares that Jesus, the

Son of Man, is here to seek for and save sinners.

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Reflections on the gospel reading

Jesus loves sinners.He is sent by the Father to seek for the lost

ones (sinners) and save them.We, Christians, are considered by God as

sinners.He calls us all to conversion. He wants to

spend time with us.Exercise of justice and charity is a sign of

conversion. It is the fruit of repentance.When we encounter Jesus in his word and

sacrament, we must be prepared to change.

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Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm

The first reading, in prayer form, tells of God’s mercy upon all beings.

The psalm praises God for his mercy upon his creatures.The second reading tells us about the coming of Jesus

to satisfy us and share his glory. (It is a result of God’s mercy.)

The gospel reading tells us how Zacchaeus is found by Jesus. Jesus goes to him because of his mercy.

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How to develop your sharing/homily

Have you experienced being forgiven by your loved ones no matter how much you have offended them?

Have you experienced their mercy?Have you ever experienced God’s

mercy? God is merciful to sinners.

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The first reading tells us of God’s mercy upon all his creatures.

In his mercy, God sustains us.He can overlook our sins, big and small.God does not hold grudges against us.Therefore, we must go back to him ASAP.It is foolish to keep enjoying our sins.Remember: God is also just.

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The second reading tells us of the total expression of God’s mercy.

At the end of time, in his second coming, everything will be brought to fulfillment.

We, who listen to his voice, will be glorified with him.

In the meantime, let us live according to our dignity and calling as Christians.

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The gospel reading shows that God is merciful to sinners (in the eyes of men and God).

When we sense that God is “passing by,” we must rush to meet him, like Zacchaeus.

He has time for us. He waits for our conversion (to exercise charity and justice).

He is here to show God’s mercy, no matter how much we have sinned.

The purpose of true religion is to lead people to experience God’s mercy and love.

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Our churches (both the building and the community) must be avenues for happy encounters with God (and his people).

They must be sources of renewal.They must facilitate our conversion.They must help us practice charity and

justice.

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Alas, some of our churches have become occasions for sin.

They have become places of gossip, instead of worship.

Some members have become cordon sanitaire of the priest.

Others declare some church facilities as their turf. No other group can use them.

Still others engage in power struggle (control in the parish pastoral council).

There is so much emphasis on liturgy while they neglect issues on justice and peace, which are the fruits of conversion.

May God have mercy on our Churches.

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The eucharist is the sacrament of God’s mercy.

In the eucharist, through the consecrated bread and wine, Jesus comes to us to show us his mercy.

In the eucharist, Jesus invites us to be with him. He asks us to welcome him into our hearts and minds.

In the eucharist, Jesus brings us salvation.

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Our Context of Sin and Grace

IrreligiousSelf-righteous (non-

acceptance of sin)Listens not to his

pastor, but to the pastors of other religions

Destructive presenceDestructive criticismUnwelcoming attitudeAlways present in the

church, but no conversion

Faith experienceKeen on God’s

presenceConversionEcclesial communionCommunity buildingFacilitative Involved in justice and

peace movements

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Suggested Songs

Lord, have mercyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpRghV_Ngnc

Kahit Isang Kusinghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34A-_KcmuqQ

Sino ba ang Diyos?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8glIv39uKA

Zaccheus by Mirriam Therese